NILE RANGER has revealed he is ready to “have a crack” at filling the void left behind by Andy Carroll at Newcastle United.

The Londoner goes into tomorrow’s clash at Blackburn Rovers vying for a start at Ewood Park in front of 5,000 travelling Toon fans.

The 19-year-old has yet to score in the Premier League, but has impressed in his handful of substitute appearances of late, and his presence helped turn the game on its head against Arsenal.

And while stepping up to fill Carroll’s boots is a huge ask for anybody, Ranger knows this could be his big chance.

He told the Chronicle: “Andy has gone and it puts me up the pecking order along with Shola being injured.

“It gives me a chance now – and I want to take it.

“I was shocked when Andy went, I really was.

“He’s a Geordie and he got the No 9 shirt he wanted.

“He’s supported the club all his life and watched players like Alan Shearer wear that shirt, I thought he’d be here for years to come.

“I don’t know the full situation, but it’s a chance.”

Ranger and Carroll looked good as a partnership in spells in the reserve team last season and in brief outings in the Championship.

The England Under-21 international was keen to be part of the future with Carroll.

However, he did insist the goals WILL come – even without the Geordie star.

He said: “It would have been good being in partnership with Andy.

“But we still have good strikers here. We’ve got Besty, Peter Lovenkrands and Shefki now.

“It’s my chance, I know once I get one the rest will flow.

“I’ve had opportunities to get goals every time I come off the bench so I know I will get the goals. As long as you are getting in the positions and getting the chances, I can get the goals.”

Ranger woke up to a media storm today, with reports of the FA banning any players who fail to show for international duty and then play for their clubs in the next domestic fixture.

The Under-21 man – one of 24 players who withdrew from England duty this week – is still classed as a doubt for tomorrow’s game with a back problem and said: “My back was killing me at the start of the week.

“It feels sorted now, I was just doing a few swimming sessions to get back. It is still a bit sore. I could only do a little bit on Thursday and we’ll see how it feels.

“I hope to be ready if the gaffer throws me in.”

Boyhood Arsenal fan Ranger was still coming down to earth after the 4-4 draw with the Gunners, and said: “Arsenal was a big game for us and when we went 4-0 down we thought the game was finished and out the window. We came back and we showed the passion we’ve got and just went all out to win it.

“We managed to get a 4-4 draw which was incredible for us. I did think it was over because I watch Arsenal and the way they keep the ball, you think ‘It’s done’.

“But at half-time the manager told us what he thought and then Diaby’s red card killed their team a bit and gave us a lift. We knew they were under pressure and we nearly killed the game.”

Looking ahead to Blackburn, he said: “We should be confident. Arsenal are a big club and we stopped them from beating us.”